I help people and companies with Brand and Marketing Strategy, #1 I am the Founder of Brandtini, aBrand Essentials Marketplace with events, tools and future eCourses. #2 I am the City Leader for Women Who Startup events that are monthly at Galvanize, #3 I at a Board Member for the Co+Hoots Foundation, and #4 I am a Sr. Brand Consultant serving as a CMO for hire for growth companies.

How did you get started in the industry? What sparked an initial interest?

I grew up in branding, marketing and communications within 5 industries. I took an advanced masters certification in Personal Branding in 2010 that launched my brand strategy consultancy into speaking opportunities for Fortune 100 and 500 organizations and pushed me into working as the Brand Consultant as a digital and design agency partner. In the past five years I have focused on brand clarity and consistency planning for companies and executives preparing for digital connectivity.

How long have you lived or worked in Arizona? (If it’s been several years, what have you noticed about the growth of the tech industry here?)

I think back to 1999 when I was working in one of the states largest healthcare system as the Interactive Services Director and had to go out of the building to nurture a relationship with a cable company to build their first website because the IT department did not do websites then. But in the last 7 years I have seen incredible tech businesses and tech talent expand in Arizona. There are tech hubs, there are tech meetups and there is an ecosystem of tech talent sprouting. We are beginning to see the additional of co-working spaces all over the valley and I have seen Phoenix become the center of the growth.

If you could only describe your city with one word, which word would it be?

Collaborative

What’s your favorite thing about living in Arizona?

The mountains are 2 hours away, the ocean is 4-6 hours away Cali verses Mexico, and the sun is always shining.

What’s your least favorite thing about living in Arizona? (Aside from the heat.)

With growth comes conjestion, I hate sitting in traffic.

What’s your favorite Breakfast spot?

Wildflower Bread Company

What’s your favorite Lunch spot?

The Herb Box

What’s your favorite dinner spot?

It is a toss up between The Vig and Switch Restaurant and Wine Bar

What’s your favorite place to work in your city (when your not in your office or home office) (coffee shop, co-working space, etc.)?

CO+HOOTS uptown is my day time coworking office and Galvanize in the warehouse district is my event spot for Women Who Startup events

Best place for a meeting over drinks?

Blanco Tacos & Tequila, in the Biltmore

What is something about living in Arizona that only a local would know of? (Or what is a common misconception about living in AZ?)

The sun shines in Phoenix and Tucson 85 percent of the year, even more than Florida and Hawaii.

Any tips for new Arizona residents?

When you come to Arizona go to all the co-working locations and learn about what is available to you in collaboration with other businesses, community events and meetups. Don’t just start a new meetup, engage in what is already out there and you will get connected quickly to the community.

Katherine is a writer who holds a BA in English Literature from Arizona State University and works for Coplex, a local startup studio. In her spare time, Katherine can be found writing poetry, reading graphic novels, and watching Friends on Netflix for the 8th time in a row.

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